When Life Gives You Mangoes

A beautiful story about friendship, change and moving past your fears. 

A new girl has moved to town, Clara's best friend isn't speaking to her, and she can't remember what happened last summer. As the new summer's events unfold, Clara will learn about friendship, herself, and moving on from dark events of the past. 

Getten explores the complexity of friendship, of arguing with those you love, but still valuing them more than anything, in a way that feels completely real and absorbing. Friends are everything when you are Clara's age, and When Life Gives You Mangoes reflects this throughout. Clara also has to learn about making new friends and opening yourself up to new people, in way that will feel real and relatable to everyone who reads. 

Sycamore is a hot, vivid setting which will will add some much-needed summer to your autumn. This close knit community is almost a character in its own right. The story celebrates the importance of community, of coming together, forgiveness, and moving on.

I've struggled to write this review as I wanted to keep it spoiler free - When Life Gives You Mangoes has a really, really, really good twist that had made me want to start the entire story all over again. 

It is a special, lovely story that I would recommend without hesitation. 

Thank you so much Pushkin Children's Books for sending me an advanced copy to review via NetGalley.

Picture This: My Friends and Me

Everyone's family is different - from brunch loving dads, to cake baking single parents, and even juggling foster mums - but if there's one thing adults are all great at, it's loving the children in their care. 

I know a book must be really good when I'm taking photos to send to my sister as I read it! This is the sort of picture book I have always been on the look out for - one that celebrates family in all its many, varied forms, where everyone is welcome and loved with equal acceptance. It's the sort of story which makes you feel warm and happy once you finish it. 

Halford's colourful artwork is full of small details and funny annotations. I particularly like Kate's amazing brunch, which is aptly captioned 'best meal ever'. 

Little Tiger are brilliant champions of diversity and acceptance, so this story has found the perfect home on their list. I'm already recommending it to everyone I know. 

Thank you Little Tiger for sending me a copy of My Friends and Me for review. 

My Friends and Me is written by Stephanie Stansbie and illustrated by Katy Halford

The Castle of Tangled Magic

Full of family, magic and kindness, The Castle of Tangled Magic is an extraordinary story which is not to be missed. 

Olia lives in a beautiful castle filled with secret passageways and unreachable domes. When her beloved home is attacked by a magical storm, she must venture into a hidden world of magic to face her family's dark history and risk everything she loves for a brighter, fairer future. 

The Castle of Tangled Magic is a fantastic exploration of troubling histories and the way we can deal with pasts that make us uncomfortable, tearing down monuments to past atrocities, but never forgetting the need to do better. 

Olia is a wonderful protagonist who understands that it is people (or magical spirits!) who are important, not places or objects, no matter how much we might love them, and learns that home is about the people you love, not where you live. She is generous and kind, always striving to help as much as she can, but she also shows that it is okay to make mistakes. Olia is a hero who doesn't always get things right, but that's okay, because life is about learning and growing. She is a protagonist children will be able to see themselves in, sometimes afraid and insecure, but desperate to do what is right. 

Olia's world is full of magic and wonder, and her home - and this incredible story - will set readers' imaginations soaring. 

Thank you, Usborne for sending me an advanced copy to review on NetGalley. 

Bauble, Me and the Family Tree

Bauble, Me and the Family Tree is a heartwarming story about family with a cosy, Christmasy feel. 

When Noel's sister Bauble sees their mum kissing Santa - in August - this special sibling pair begin an important investigation. Is their dad secretly Santa? Or is something else going on - something to do with the photos Noel has found of villagers in meat bikinis, and secret notes under his mother's pillow. But when their investigation uncovers unexpected family secrets, it causes arguments and accidents, and threatens to change their family forever. 

Noel was a superb, sympathetic character who readers will warm to. His super-clever, little sister Bauble was fun to read too. 

This is a novel which explores what family means, and celebrates the different forms it can take. There were lots of moments made me giggle, but there are serious, emotional scenes too. 

This is the perfect time of year to read this novel, as it has lots of Christmasy touches without being a Christmas story - just right to add a little pre-December Christmas magic to the year. 

Thank you Maverick Publishing for sending me an advanced copy of Bauble, Me and the Family Tree by Jenny Moore

Dear Hero

 Today I'm posting a spotlight feature for Dear Hero: a new YA superhero story, out on Monday!

Cortex and V need a new nemesis. 

Up-and-coming teen superhero Cortex is on top of the world—at least, until his villain dumps him. If he’s going to save his reputation, he needs a new antagonist, and fast.

Meanwhile, the villainous Vortex has once again gotten a little overeager and taken out a hero prematurely. Will any young hero be able to keep up with her? Maybe she should work on finding a steady relationship with an enemy she won’t kill in the first round.

So the two turn to Meta-Match, a nemesis pairing site for heroes and villains, where they match right away. After throwing punches at each other behind coffee shops, practicing their fight choreography, and hiring henchmen to do their bidding (mostly just getting them coffee), they begin to realize they have a lot more in common than just names that annoyingly rhyme. 

But not everything in the superhero world is as it seems. Who are the real heroes and villains? And just how fine of a line is there between love and hate? When darkness from the past threatens them both, Cortex and V may need to work together to make it out alive. 

This sounds like so much fun! You can find more by following the authors on Twitter - @HopeBolinger and @alyssawrote

The Story of Babushka

This is the story of one very special babushka doll and her five bodies.

There was the outermost body, Antonia. She was pure beauty and everyone who saw her raved about her good looks. Beneath that body of beauty hid the second body, Loretta, who was richly adorned. She wore gold ornaments, and her robe was decorated with many different gems that glittered like the ocean on a sunny day. Hidden within the rich body was Paula the body that held all the talents. Whatever Paula did, she was sure to succeed. She knew how to work and always did so with joy and determination. Under the shell of the talented body was Viola, the body of wisdom. Viola knew a lot about the world and learned very quickly. She was always full of brilliant ideas and had clever solutions for every problem. The last body, the innermost and smallest of all, was Mary, the embodiment of love. Mary had a compassionate heart and was very helpful. She had the special ability to dry tears and mend broken hearts.

One day Babushka decides she wants to find out the meaning of life, so she sends her bodies out of the forest and into the world to search for answers.

The Story of Babushka is lovely and I really enjoyed reading it. It has a classic, fairytale feel, which sweeps you into its world and makes it wonderful to read aloud.

Babushka's five very different bodies are vividly described, beautifully illustrated and each important in their own, unique way. Together, their story is touching and heartwarming. 

This story explores what it means to be happy, and to feel valued and loved. It has a really sweet message and I loved the ending. 

The illustrations are exquisite, filled with beautiful detail and colour, and I could spend ages looking at each page. You can take a closer look at them on the story's website which really helps to bring this world to life, with interactive images and free colouring sheets. 

Thank you to the author for sending me a copy to review. 

The Story of Babushka is written by Catherine Flores and illustrated by Ana Beatriz Marques

Macbeth United

12 year old Macbeth dreams of football success, but as his ambition (and his mum) pushes him to betray more and more of his teammates, he seems more likely to destroy his team altogether than impress footballing scouts. 

Macbeth United is an extremely clever reimagining of Shakespeare's Scottish Tragedy which young readers will love. It's so well done, including all of the key moments and little details, reimagining the events of the play in a way that remains faithful to its new genre, as a contemporary football story. I loved the way the porter is re-imagined as a local odd-job man, and Lady Macbeth (aka Mrs Macbeth, Macbeth's mum) is another brilliant inclusion. 

This is definitely a novel you can enjoy if you've never read, or even heard of, Macbeth before. It will also help children to follow the plot of the original play if they later come to read or watch it. I can think of lots of YA Shakespeare retellings, but I don't think I've read any aimed at younger readers, who are usually left with abridged versions of the original. Macbeth United, on the other hand, makes the plot of Macbeth exciting and relevant. It is filled with football-match feuds, text messages and, of course, plenty of on-pitch action. 

I flew through this story and found it really engaging. I can see it being very popular in school libraries this year.

Macbeth United is a fantastic adaptation, bringing this classic tale of ambition and betrayal to life for a younger audience. 

Thank you so much Scholastic for sending me a copy to review. 

Macbeth United is written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Tony Ross

The Humans

 

A brilliant children's non-fiction title which explores ancient civilisations from across the globe. 

The Humans is packed full of fascinating facts about the ancient past, including former uses for now-common objects, the origins of things like drains and toilets, and even untranslatable languages (and I learnt about all three of these on just one double page spread!)

There are things to entertain children of a range of ages - my six year old likes finding the different locations on her globe and learning about objects like buttons and umbrellas, but older children will enjoy delving into this book in greater detail. From female pirates to ancient mummies, there's something in here to capture the interest and imagination of every child. 

With the now ever-present risk of homeschooling, I think a book like this is a great one to have on your bookshelves, to bring history to life without resorting to scrolling through the internet for age appropriate and useful websites. 

The artwork is colourful and striking, giving The Humans a very modern feel, which makes it engaging and exciting (this is definitely not a dusty old reference book!)

Thank you Little Tiger for sending us a copy to review. 

The Humans is written by Jonny Marx and illustrated by Charlie Davis

The Court of Miracles

There is no character in all of literature I dislike more than Marius Pontmercy. 

I'm all for unlikable characters - some of my very favourite books are filled with characters I would hate to meet in real life - but Marius is the only character I've ever read who makes my blood boil with fury and who makes me throw books across the room. I get the feeling Kester Grant must feel the same way. Eponine deserved so much more. 

The Court of Miracles was therefore billed as the PERFECT novel for me: a YA retelling of a story I have adored since I was six years old, centring on my favourite character in said story, and completely removing a character I can't stand from the narrative. 

It's safe to say I had very high hopes for this novel! I am so pleased that, far from disappointing my expectations, The Court of Miracles exceeded them on every page. 

This novel is filled with wonderful characters (and no Marius), all with their own strengths and weaknesses, and lots of secrets and betrayal. Nina was superb, but I also loved Ettie (who was much more interesting than Cosette has ever been), St Juste and Montparnasse. There were hints of romance and lots of flirting, but this novel was always a story about sisterhood, which I loved. 

The location was also superb. This is the third book set in revolutionary France that I've read in the past two years and it is a setting and time period I will never tire of. It's so much fun to read about - filled with drama and danger and politics, and there are endless stories to be told. 

The court of miracles itself was very well developed. I loved its intricacy and detail and I could happily read more stories about characters in other guilds. The royal court was equally intoxicating, with a strong focus on social injustice. 

If you love Les Mis, in any of its many forms, you should definitely read this book. There are lots of little nods to the original story in chapter headings, and dialogue. Grant retains the intricacy, the character names and the social themes of the original story, but turns them into something that is entirely her own. However, I also think readers with no knowledge of Les Mis at all will fall in love with the characters in this story. 

The Haunting of Aveline Jones

A chilling Halloween treat that's perfect for snuggling down with on a stormy October night. 

The Haunting of Aveline Jones is a fast paced, spooky read which kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down!

It will delight fans of ghost stories, thanks to it's fantastic, eerie setting and chilling conclusion. I will definitely be thinking about this atmospheric story next time I'm near the sea during a storm... If you like to be scared, it would be a great story to read on holiday, while staying in an unfamiliar place!

It is also full of great characters and some lovely, if unusual, friendships. The adults were as well developed as the children, which it was great to see too. 

Robinson's spooky illustrations add to the unsettling atmosphere. 

The Haunting of Aveline Jones is a brilliant, quick spooky read that opens what is sure to be a fantastic series. I will definitely be ordering the next one. 

The Teeny Weeny Genie

Old Macdonald had a farm - so far so familiar. But did you know that on that farm he had a teapot? And in that teapot he had a genie? Well Old Macdonald didn't either. This is the story of what happened once he did.

This story is packed with chaotic, wish-filled fun! There's lots of opportunity to make noise throughout, and I can see it working well in nurseries and classrooms thanks to all the onomatopoeia. 

I enjoyed the rhyming letter spells, which were fun to read aloud. This was a silly, sweet story which my three-year-old really enjoyed. Everybody (or everything!) wanted to wish for something, and I'm pleased the genie got his own wish granted at the end.

Currey's artwork is lovely, with pretty farm yard backdrops, colourful characters and plenty of magic. 

Thank you Macmillan Children's Books for sending me a copy to review

The Teeny Weeny Genie is written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Anna Currey

Blog Tour: Mina Mistry Investigates

 

Today is my stop on the Mina Mistry blog tour!

Perfect for fans of Dork Diaries and Tom Gates, Mina Mistry is a fun mystery which children will love.

Mina's school is keen to promote healthy eating, but the school dinners contain more sugar than a chocolate factory. Luckily, future private investigator, Mina Mistry, is on the case - in between listening to her best friend Holly's dreams of superstardom and helping her Granny Meera with her unusual recipe combinations. 

Mina Mistry investigates is full of laugh out loud moments. Mina is a great protagonist, and I loved her assistant, Mr Panda (who is very into his extreme sports). Mina is determined and independent, and young readers will warm to her immediately. I also loved her unusual friendship with Holly, who brought a lot of laughter in her scenes. The friendships and dynamics between the characters are really strong. 

This book is full of food related fun, with marshmallow fritters for school dinner, and Granny Meera's strangely unpopular lentil custard. Readers won't stop laughing at the interesting food combinations. 

Mina Mistry also has a great layout and style, with speech bubbles, case files and plenty of pictures. The font is large and easy to read, making it accessible and easy to enjoy. 

I can see Mina Mistry being really popular in school libraries this year. I'm really looking forward to more books in this series.

Picture This: The World Made a Rainbow

A colourful celebration of life and hope. 

A little girl is missing her extended family and friends during lockdown, so makes a rainbow for her window. Some colours remind her of the things she is missing, others of moments in her past, and some remind her how much she has to look forward to in the future. 

This is a really beautiful picture book exploring life during lockdown, which children will find both relatable and comforting. My daughter could definitely see herself in the main character, who misses her school and her friends, and sometimes feels lost in a house where her parents are busy working and looking after younger siblings. 

The World Made a Rainbow is a gentle reminder that it's okay to feel sad, or afraid sometimes, but also focuses on the positivity and hope in the world. 

The artwork is bright and cheerful, and we loved the images of multicoloured rain, especially at the end.

The World Made a Rainbow is a really lovely story, and would make a wonderful 'back to school' gift for anyone who is feeling a little bit nervous. 

Blog Tour: Notes from Small Planets

 

Welcome to my tour stop for 2020's must-buy travel guide!

Whether you want to search for a real wizard in Mittelvelde, or go to wizarde (no, that's not a spelling mistake) school in Whimsicalia, Floyd Watt has you covered with his comprehensive travel guide to worlds only marginally less dangerous than Earth in 2020.

From SPACE to Wastelands and everything you could possibly imagine in between, this guide will have you packing an increasingly odd collection of items into your rucksack (oil, crackers and family heirlooms are all essential) and setting off into the horizon (in any direction but west).

Ignorant, flawed and certain of his own superiority, Floyd plunges headfirst into disaster in every chapter, kept barely in check by his long-suffering editor, Eliza Salt. Along the way, he'll tell you about the climate, wildlife and people of each world he visits, letting you know what to pack, where to stay, and what time of year to visit (except for Wasteland, who will be in the midst of the apocalypse whenever you visit). 

I laughed so much reading this book, and it's very, very rare that I finish something and pass it onto my husband to read next, but that's exactly what I did with Notes from Small Planets. You absolutely don't need to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of all fantasy and SF to enjoy it, either. The in-jokes are brilliant when you get them, but this book is still extremely funny even if you're not sure what's being parodied.

Crowley says in his afterward that is "should be possible to enjoy a work while still recognising the assumptions and conventions - some of them pretty grim - that it sits amidst." Notes from Small Planets exposes the flaws, some hilarious, some uncomfortable, in the worlds many of us love. As a result, it gives readers plenty to think, as well as laugh, about.  

Notes from Small Planets was so much fun to read and would make a superb Christmas present for SF and fantasy fans (or anyone who wants to escape from the chaos of 2020 into worlds facing disasters of a more believable kind). Thank you so much Harper Voyager for sending me a copy to review.

The tour continues all week at the blogs below. A Boy with a Book is also posting today and his review is brilliant, so make sure you check it out!

Blog Tour: The Inheritance Games

Today is my stop on the blog tour for The Inheritance Games!

The Inheritance Games is utterly addictive! I could not stop thinking about this book whenever I had to (forcibly, much against my will) put it down. 

Avery's life is turned upside down when she discovers she is the heir to a multi-billion dollar fortune, left to her by a man she has never met. A man who has four grandsons who have grown up with everything, and have now been left with nothing. But Tobias Hawthorne was fond of games and puzzles, and some of his grandsons are sure there must be more to the will, and Avery, than meets the eye. Secrets are exposed and betrayals laid bare as Avery and the Hawthornes race to uncover the secrets Tobias left behind. But with billions of dollars in the balance, Avery will have to decide if she's ready to risk her life and play. 

The premise of this novel is so crazy that it's impossible not to ask yourself what you would do if you were Avery. 

The Inheritance Games is full of twists and puzzles, with concealed corridors and secrets relationships revealed in every chapter. I guessed some twists but not others, and there was always some new mystery to keep me turning the page. 

Barnes' characters were excellent. Everyone was complex and full of secrets, and there was so much backstory to uncover. Avery is very relatable and I think readers will really like her. She's also never focused on the money itself, and only considers buying things for other people. The chemistry between Avery and the Hawthorne boys was brilliant, but I liked that romance was definitely secondary to the mystery in this novel. I really loved Max and her inventive swearing. Her bits made me laugh a lot. I also loved Xander and his scone addiction and all of the other funny moments he brought to the novel. 

Just Another Little Lie - author Q&A!

Just Another Little Lie is a heartbreaking yet sensitive look at alcohol abuse. Vi's mum is drinking more and more. She forgets to pick Vi's little brother up from school, and cancels appointments to spend the day in bed. She promises Vi that things will get better, but as things begin to spiral out of control, Vi isn't sure if she can trust her anymore. 

I was very, very fortunate to be able to ask author Eve Ainsworth some questions about this very special book. 

What inspired you to write Just Another Little Lie?

I've wanted to write a teen novel focusing on alcoholism for quite a while now. It is something I have had direct experience of growing up (my older brother died of alcoholism) and it was also something that I dealt with a lot in schools when I was supporting students. I think that this is often a misunderstood area and also I believe that a lot of young people have to deal with a heavy drinker in their family. It can be a very difficult and challenging thing to deal with.

What do you hope readers take away from Vi's story?

I hope that readers can feel empathy for Vi and understand the situation she has been put in. I also hope that others that are in a similar situation might feel that they are not alone and that it is not shameful to ask for help, or to accept it.  

There were a lot of points in this story which brought me to tears. Which moment was the hardest to write?

I'm sorry it brought you to tears, it is an emotional story. If I'm honest, this has been one of the hardest books for me to write because I tapped into a lot of personal experience and memory. I think the scenes with Vi's little brother were particularly tricky as I always get upset when little children are scared or confused! 

While Vi's mother makes some terrible mistakes over the course of the story, she is never presented as the 'villain' and is ultimately someone readers will feel a lot of sympathy for. How difficult was this to achieve?

It was important to me that Vi's mother wasn't portrayed as a villain and I want the reader to feel empathy towards her and understand that she cannot help her actions. She has an illness which she is struggling to deal with. I think it helped that I had personal experience of living with an alcoholic. I know how difficult and challenging it can be, but I also know that the person inside is very ill and needs help and support. 

I can't stop thinking about how Vi's story would be impacted in our current situation, with many children having been cut off from vital family support, especially from elderly relatives, during lockdowns. I know this won't have been something you thought about while writing, but is it something you have reflected on recently?

Oh yes definitely. I've been talking about this recently with ex-colleagues that I used to work with in schools. It's very concerning that many young people will be isolated at home in possibly quite difficult situations. That's why it's so important that we continue to raise awareness through books, social media and other channels.  We need to keep talking and raising awareness.

What makes writing for Barrington Stoke so special?

Barrington Stoke are such a wonderful publisher, they are so pro-active and encouraging and are really, really passionate about getting young people reading, especially those who might otherwise struggle. Having worked with dyslexic and reluctant readers in the past, I know how important this is. Barrington Stoke remove the barriers to reading, by ensuring they have a fully inclusive range of books that readers will want to read! It really is inspiring.

Which other Barrington Stoke stories would you recommend to readers who enjoy Just Another Little Lie?

I think The Disconnect by Keren David would be a good choice, or Anthony McGowan's Lark.

Have you read much over the past few months? If so, what has been your favourite?

I have been reading - but it's been a huge mix of children’s, adult and non-fiction. One book that I finished recently was Kerry Dewery's The Last Paper Crane, which was just wonderful.

Thank you so much Eve for taking the time to answer my questions, and to Barrington Stoke for sending me a copy of Just Another Little Lie to review. 

If you would like to read the opening of Just Another Little Lie you can do so at Barrington Stoke. 

Picture This: It's Only One

Just one bit of litter won't make a difference, will it? One flower picked from a communal flower bed surely won't be noticed? The inhabitants of Sunnyville soon discover 'just one' soon adds up to a whole lot when everyone is doing the same thing. Can they change their ways before their town is ruined forever?

This is a clever story that exemplifies the importance of being a good citizen and neighbour, and looking after your local environment so that everyone can enjoy it. 

It is filled with funny scenarios which hint at much deeper problems. The pages at the back encourage children to think about how they can look after the places where they live.

Tony Neal's artwork is always a delight. Sunnyville is full of colour and fun, and we enjoyed looking at all of the little details on the double page spreads. 

Thank you Little Tiger for sending us a copy to review 

It's Only One is written by Tracey Corderoy and illustrated by Tony Neal

Picture This: Along Came a Fox

Along Came a Fox is a lovely story about friendship and how we should treat others. 

Bramble the fox is out looking for fireflies when she encounters another fox who startles her. Embarrassed by her fright, Bramble reacts angrily, making the other fox angry in return. But after some time to think about her response, Bramble realises she'd much rather make friends with the stranger - if it isn't too late. 

This is a brilliant story for exploring emotions, and prompting conversations with children about how they react in certain situations, encouraging emotional maturity as well as exploring how to make friends. Bramble reacts crossly when she's embarrassed, even though she doesn't mean to be angry, and I think a lot of readers (young and old!) will be able to relate to this. This story encourages readers to consider why others might be angry -  they might be upset, or scared or embarrassed - and to let that guide their own responses.

There's a beautiful quote from Twig the owl which would work well in a nursery or classroom setting:

"What we give out is what we get back. Tonight you have that fox your smile, and that's exactly how friendship begins."

Cally Johnson-Isaacs' artwork is very sweet and this story is filled with soft illustrations and adorable animals. Every page has a lovely, nighttime woodland background filled with bright poppies. 

Thank you Little Tiger for sending us a copy to review. 

Along Came a Fox is written by Georgina Deutsch and illustrated by Cally Johnson-Isaacs

The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith

Packed full of action, amazing world building and plenty of puzzles, The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith is a fun, magical story which children will love. Here are three reasons you should be buying it as a back-to-school gift. 

1. The world building is complex and detailed. Full of fun facts and jokes, the world of Quicksmith academy is one all children will want to visit. It's a school full of endlessly fascinating new discoveries where curiosity and inventiveness are championed. There is so much to get your head around and I really hope there is more to come.

2. Kip and his friends all have different strengths and each is vital to their eventual success. Their accomplishments are a team effort, and its nice to see everyone's differences and individual talents celebrated. Quicksmiths is a place where everyone is special in their own way. Kip's backstory is also extremely touching, and a real driving force throughout the novel. 

3. As the title suggests, The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith is full of tension, excitement and puzzles. The riddles helped keep tension and stakes high and made me desperate to keep reading once they started. The pace of this story definitely picks up once the first riddle appears and it was during the hunt for clues that this novel really shone. 

Blog Tour: The Worry (Less) Books

This book should be in schools everywhere! Informative, reassuring and very funny, The Worry (Less) Book is a non-fiction, comic filled book about anxiety. It would make a perfect addition to any classroom or school library. 

Rachel Brian is the co-creator of the viral "Tea Consent" video, and the Worry (Less) Book is just as eye catching and memorable.

I love that this books is aimed specifically at children (and will work particularly well for teenagers). It's full of relatable school experiences: such as studying for exams and  socialising with friends. Following the tips in this book will make small but important changes to readers' daily lives. It doesn't claim to cure anxiety, and points readers in the direction of professionals if they need further help, but it does help to build an anxiety toolkit which can be used in a variety of situations. 

I've already put it to use - my daughter was feeling anxious on her first day back to school last week, so we used the grounding technique on our walk to school to settle her nerves. School can be stressful at the best of times, but is particularly nerve wracking for lots of students at the moment, due to the long break and uncertainty over safety.

It's short and to the point, quick to read and easy to dip in and out of if you want a refresher. 

This book is also visually great. The fun artwork made this quick and easy to read, understand and digest. There was great use of bright colours in Mental Health Day yellow and lots of the pages would work as stand alone panels. 

Thank you so much Wren & Rook for letting me take part in the blog tour for this brilliant book. Make sure you check out the other stops on the tour this week.

A Poem for Every Autumn Day

A perfect poetry collection for ushering in crisp mornings and coolers evenings.

This beautiful collection contains every poem you'd expect given the title. I haven't thought of one I would have liked to see included and isn't, and I've discovered lots of new poems while reading. 

There are plenty of the poems I remember from GCSE English (and I say that fondly, as someone who really enjoyed reading and analysing poetry in school!) But also lots of newer poems - an extract from Sarah Crossan's One about returning to school, and Kenn Nesbitt's Xbox Xbox - A Love Poem. 

Many of the poems are atmospheric, conjuring images of fiery leaves, cold winds and bonfires. They are perfect for reading as the season turns, tucked up under a blanket on a chilly evening. 

But Autumn is more than just a change in the weather, and A Poem for Every Autumn Day reflects this.  Early September poems mention the return to school, November includes war poetry for Remembrance day, and the poems for the 31st October are an extract from John Kendrick Bangs' Hallowe'en and the memorably creepy verse sung by Roald Dahl's Witches. 

I also really enjoyed the short paragraphs of context included in with each poem, which aided my understanding of poems I hadn't come across before and increased my enjoyment of them. 

A Poem for Every Autumn Day is a lovely addition to Macmillan and Esiri's poetry series, and I look forward to seeing how they expand on it with such beautiful, thoughtful collections. 

Write Mentor

An extra post today because I forgot to schedule something in to celebrate!

Over the past few months I've been working hard with the wonderful Marisa Noelle on redrafting my YA, gender-reversed retelling of Snow White - Mirrored Snow - which is told from the perspective of a girl trapped inside the wicked queen's mirror. 

This has been part of the incredible Write Mentor Mentoring Programme and I'm so pleased and proud with the change Marisa's help has made to my story. 

You can read my cover letter and the first 500 words of Mirrored Snow as part of the agent showcase - and make sure you check out the other mentees' works too as they are incredible. There's even an anthology of all the entries. 

If you were following my blog last year, you'll know how much I admire Marisa's writing, so it was amazing to have the chance to work with her. 

I don't post many writing relating posts anymore, so if you'd like a more in-depth post about how the mentoring process works let me know in the comments and I'll write something soon. 

Regardless of what the agent showcase brings, I'm proud of this story and I will take so much invaluable expertise with me into future projects as a result of the mentoring process. Write Mentor is such an incredible writing resource and Stuart White is a huge asset to the writing community. If you haven't checked Write Mentor out already, please do - especially as their virtual writing conference - Wow Con - takes place later this month!

Dragon Mountain

Four unforgettable characters, a magical world children will desperately want to fall into and plenty of high-stakes action, twists and turns. Dragon Mountain is amazing!

I knew as soon as I heard about this story that I would enjoy it, and it definitely didn't disappoint. 

Every chapter was filled with action and potential peril, and I raced through this story, reluctant to put it down. From moving mountains to disappearing tigers, there's so much to amaze and wonder readers.

Billy, Dylan, Charlotte and Ling-Fei were exciting protagonists readers will love. They are all different and uniquely engaging, but come together through their loyalty and courage, even if they are sometimes afraid. The bond between them is strong and touching - they're a group readers will wish they could be part of.

The dragons were also very well developed and described. I could picture each one clearly (although the stunning artwork on the cover helped too). I can see them inspiring lots of games, drawings, and stories, a lot like the dragons in the How to Train Your Dragon series.

The cliff hanger ending has left me desperate for book two. Dragon Mountain is the beginning of a brilliant adventure with end-of-the-world stakes and a formidable antagonist. 

Picture This: I Really, Really Need a Wee

When a little bushbaby realises too late that he needs the toilet, there isn't an empty one to be found. He's jiggly-wiggly desperate enough to brave bears and impossibly long queues, hopping up and down as his luck grows worse and worse. 

This picture book was an instant hit in our house. I've been asked to read it more times than I can count (even on the first day). My eldest has even been reading it to her younger brother and anything that encourages my book-mad but reluctant-reader daughter to actually sit and read words from a page is worthy of high praise!

I Really, Really Need a Wee is hilarious from beginning to end (and I think the end is my children's favourite). It's light-hearted and silly, and a story you can read again and again.

The illustrations are very funny - especially the little bushbaby's facial expressions, and every page is bright and colourful. Even the end pages are humorous and my three-year-old has spent ages flicking back and forth between them. 

Thank you so much Little Tiger for sending us a copy to review. 

I Really, Really Need a Wee is written by Karl Newson and illustrated by Duncan Beedie

Kidnap on the California Comet

Hal and his Uncle Nat are off on another train adventure, this time crossing America. But what Nat hopes will be a scenic journey with plenty of drawing opportunities for Hal, soon becomes a desperate attempt to solve the mysterious kidnapping of a billionaire's daughter.

Kidnap on the California Comet is a perfect back-to-school read for young mystery fans. It's filled with lots of red herrings and plenty of clues for junior detectives to pick up on as they read. After plenty of twists and turns, it builds to a satisfying conclusion. 

This story had an amazing setting and it definitely made me want to jump on a train and travel across America. Views from the Comet are brought to life both through the language and Elisa Paganelli's brilliant illustrations. I loved Hal's incredible artistic ability and it really works to see it reflected through the drawings in the book. 

Leonard and Sedgman perfectly capture the feeling of being overlooked because of your age. Hal's determination to save his friend despite all of the adults telling him to leave it to the experts is really admirable. While it is the quick thinking (and often underestimated) children who save the day, there are always adults they can turn to when needed. The bond between Hal and his uncle is one of this series' strengths. I liked how understanding and encouraging Nat was (and also his six watches, which sounded so cool!)

This story touches on series subjects such as homesickness, feeling neglected, and always trying to do the right thing. Hal has to learn that, when following leads, being honest is more important than getting answers, and that sometimes the direct approach is more effective. He grows as a character over the course of the story and its great to see him put some of his new knowledge into action in the story's exciting climax.

Kidnap on the California Comet is also full of strong friendships. Hal is open and kind and forms bonds which last beyond his adventure on the Comet. Hadley and Mason's magic tricks and performances provided endless fun (I would happily read a spin off story about these talented siblings). 

This series is a future classic and I'm looking forward to finding out where Hal and Nat travel next. 

Picture This: Arlo, The Lion Who Couldn't Sleep

Arlo the lion is tired, but no matter how hard he tries, he can't get to sleep. While wandering the savanna, he meets an owl who sings him a soothing lullaby to send him to sleep. But lion isn't the only one who has trouble sleeping. Can owl's song help everyone to sleep when they should?

This is a gorgeous, soothing bedtime story, with a lovely sleepy feel. It's perfect for reading right before bed, or to encourage little ones to think about when they're struggling to drop off. The song is easy to remember after a few reads, and makes a wonderful bedtime lullaby for busy toddlers (I've used it once or twice since this book arrived!)

Rayner's illustrations are beautiful - I especially loved the bundle of sleeping lions on the final page. Arlo's mane is full of gorgeous detail, and the pages are painted in the colours of sunsets and rises, with inky, star-strewn skies in between.

Thank you so much Macmillan Children's Books for sending us a copy to review. 

Arlo, the Lion who couldn't Sleep is written and illustrated by Catherine Rayner